Former Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in Ireland, Katherine Zappone played a key role in the country's marriage equality referendum.

In this emotional yet uplifting episode, Katherine talks frankly to Mary and Mary about many issues including her controversial appointment as a UN Special Envoy and the political fallout that followed.

Katherine also openly discusses the heartbreak of losing her beloved wife Anne Louise soon after the groundbreaking marriage equality referendum and makes an exclusive revelation about a future project.

Produced by Enda Grace at Dundara Television & Media.

Proudly sponsored by the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a simply fascinating story. Diarmuid talks to Mary McAleese and Mary Kennedy about:

• His absolute misery in and hatred for school,
• Being told he was a dunce and would never amount to anything,
• Being painfully shy until he was 40,
• Dealing with the loss of his little brother Conor in an accident when he was just 5 and his parents being misinformed that it was him,
• Having items repossessed and having to leave his apartment because he was broke,
• Building a garden at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show but having no money to eat,
• The moment that changed everything and his big television break with Alan Titchmarch,
• His adoration for his mother in law Terry Keane and how he feels that her story hasn't been told properly,
• The Strictly Come Dancing experience,
• Presenting Top Of The Pops,
• The public controversy over his "Sky Garden",
• Opening his house to Ukrainian guests.

Produced by Enda Grace at Dundara Television and Media.

Proudly sponsored by the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Presidental possibilities? Why did she decide to retire from politics? How did she deal with her daughters horrific car accident? Would she like to see a united Ireland? Cross border smuggling stories. The one piece of advice Leo Varadkar offered her! How she was treated as a woman in politics. Former Minister Heather Humphreys reveals all to Mary McAleese and Mary Kennedy.

Changing Times - The Allenwood Conversations is proudly sponsored by the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this very special episode, former President of Ireland Mary McAleese interviews her co-host Mary Kennedy. One of Ireland’s most beloved broadcasters, Mary Kennedy is renowned for her warmth, depth, and decades of experience in Irish media.

In a wide ranging discussion, she opens up about a range of topics including her upbringing, her journey into broadcasting, presenting Eurovision and handling a drunk adjudicator, the turmoil of her marriage ending and her mothers fears for her career choice.

Changing Times - The Allenwood Conversations is proudly sponsored by the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who actually is the “Galway Girl”? We were surprised to learn!

Poignant, funny and very revealing, Sharon Shannon chats to Mary McAleese about her life, glittering career, personal traumas including the death of her beloved partner Leo and reveals who the "Galway Girl" actually is! Sharon Shannon is a true icon of Irish music, renowned for her vibrant and genre-defying accordion playing. She has played with numerous greats including Steve Earle and Bono. Her energy and enthusiasm for music keep her engaged with audiences worldwide. 

Changing Times - The Allenwood Conversations is proudly sponsored by the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Broadcaster Marty Morrissey is not short of an opinion here on the future of the GAA, the managerial merry-go-round, why managers should stick to their own clubs and counties, why the Ireland Finals should be moved back to September and why he should have won Dancing With The Stars!

He also chats to the Mary’s about the loss of his mother in a tragic accident in 2021, studying medicine, teaching, taking three years to break into RTÉ, how a nun was instrumental in his early GAA days and his relationship with Cindy Crawford!!!

”Changing Times - The Allenwood Conversations” is proudly sponsored by the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bite-size bonus episode, our legendary hosts Mary McAleese and Mary Kennedy head for the RTE Late Late Show Studios to officially launch season two and chat with Patrick Kielty about how “Changing Times” originated, their Electric Picnic experience, the former president’s addiction to Tunnocks tea cakes,

and where their friendship began.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are back for season two!

In this very special episode recorded live in front of a huge enthusiastic Electric Picnic audience, producer Enda Grace introduces Mary McAleese and Mary Kennedy for a quick chat before introducing our guest, Paris Olympic rowing medalist Philip Doyle.

Season two is proudly sponsored by the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee, Co. Kerry.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.